A phoney prophet
Read Acts 13:6-12
PAUL
This was no time for Paul to be tolerant or passive. We live in a culture that virtually deifies tolerance. One lady recently said to me with a broad grin, "I love everybody; I even love the Devil." I call that "tolerance gone to seed." Make no mistake, we're not to love the Devil, nor are we to love everything everybody does. Christ commands us to love people, even our enemies, but that doesn't mean we shrink from standing up for righteousness.
Like clay
Read Acts 12:25-13:5
PAUL
Keeping the clay of your will supple and flexible calls for constant attention along the way. Once you grow hard and brittle to God's leading, you're less usable to Him. I want to take the truths we've wrestled with here and make them into a softening ointment you can regularly apply when a change is on the horizon. The ingredients in the ointment you need to apply include a pinch of the negative and a smidgen of thepositive.
People pleasing
Read Acts 12:25-13:3
PAUL
I need to make a couple of observations about the nature of ministry. The way God chooses to lead His ministry is often difficult to get our arms around. Finding direction in the corporate world comes somewhat easier. There’s a clearly stated bottom line, shareholders to report to, and defined markets that guide company decisions.
Gentle nudging
Read Acts 12:25-13:3
PAUL
While they were ministering to the Lord-fasting, singing, teaching, witnessing, and praying—theHoly Spirit said, “OK, hitch up the wagons, fellas...westward, ho! I need Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Ministering together
Read Acts 11:19-26
PAUL
In every ministry, there are at least three essentials that produce an atmosphere of joyous co-operation. They are objectives, people, and places.
The power of two
Read Acts 11:19-26
PAUL
Do you recall what David did after he killed Goliath? God had already appointed the young shepherd as the next king of Israel. Most young conquerors would have located the nearest Macy’s and tried on crowns. Not David. He went right back to the Judean hills to keep his father’s sheep — a true shepherd with a servant’s heart.
Province says 23 new COVID cases, most from Winnipeg
The province is sharing information regarding possible COVID-19 exposures in Winnipeg, including CF Polo Park and Parkview Place Long Term Care Home.
Sufficient grace
Read 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
PAUL
Nothing new
Read 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
PAUL
It's not about you!
Read 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
PAUL
I need to underscore a foundational fact: God's goal is not to make sure you're happy. No matter how hard it is for you to believe this, it's time to do so. Life is not about your being comfortable and happy and successful and pain-free. It's about becoming the man or woman God has called you to be. Unfortunately, we will rarely hear that message proclaimed today. All the more reason for me to say it again: Life is not about you! It’s about God.